Standard Chartered Bank, One Basinghall Avenue London, UK

ID:SR worked with Standard Chartered Bank to relocate its London operations from four separate buildings, integrating staff into a new single premises at One Basinghall Avenue in the City of London. The 200,000ft² building consists of basement, lower ground, ground and nine upper office floors. Contemporary business functions are located throughout the building, including a restaurant, auditorium, trading floor, reception and an executive level.

The design was developed to capture the essence of the bank’s vision and values. Standard Chartered employs 40,000 people in over 500 offices in more than 50 countries, and has 150 years experience in emerging African and Asian financial markets. ID:SR established a set of key values to express in the interior workspace; strategic intent to be the world’s best international bank, brand promise to represent the right partner and corporate standards to be responsive, trustworthy, creative and courageous. A modern, efficient and flexible workspace was proposed, where everyone has an equal opportunity to maximise their potential.

ID:SR pushed the boundaries of the bank’s global standards to achieve a unique design for their headquarters. L-shaped desks were replaced with collaborative bench-style desks, allowing flexibility and the look and feel of a modern organisation. Asian and African artistic influences were introduced through the considered selection of local artefacts and showcased in the reception space. Sean Henry sculptures were commissioned for the central atrium, an area ID:SR transformed from a sterile space into a lively art gallery café.